LSAT Explanation PT 35, S1, Q7: Due to wider commercial availability of
LSAT Question Stem
Which one of the following conforms most closely to the principle illustrated above?
Logical Reasoning Question Type
This is a Parallel question.
Correct Answer
The correct answer to this question is C.
LSAT Question Complete Explanation
The question type for this problem is Parallel Reasoning, which means we are looking for an answer choice that has a similar logical structure to the principle presented in the passage.
The principle in the passage can be summarized as follows: when two similar products offer essentially the same commodity, an increase in the commercial availability of one of these products (audio recordings of books) leads to a decrease in the demand for the other (printed books). We can represent this principle in formal logic as follows: A -> /P, where A represents the increased availability of audio recordings and P represents the demand for printed books.
Now, let's analyze each answer choice to see which one conforms most closely to the principle illustrated above.
a) Because of the rising cost of farm labor, farmers began to make more extensive use of machines.
This answer choice presents a scenario where the rising cost of one product (farm labor) leads to an increase in the demand for another (machines). This is not analogous to the principle in the passage, as the relationship between cost and demand is not the same as the relationship between availability and demand. In formal logic, this can be represented as: R -> M, where R represents the rising cost of farm labor and M represents the more extensive use of machines.
b) Because of the wide variety of new computer games on the market, sales of high-quality computer video screens have improved.
In this answer choice, increased availability of one product (computer games) leads to an increase in the demand for another, related product (high-quality computer video screens). This is not analogous to the principle in the passage because the relationship between the two products is different. In formal logic, this can be represented as: G -> S, where G represents the wide variety of new computer games and S represents the improved sales of high-quality computer video screens.
c) Because a new brand of soft drink entered the market, consumers reduced their consumption of an established brand of soft drink.
This answer choice is the correct one, as it presents a scenario where the increased availability of one product (new brand of soft drink) leads to a decrease in the demand for another, similar product (established brand of soft drink). The logical structure is similar to the principle in the passage. In formal logic, this can be represented as: N -> /E, where N represents the new brand of soft drink entering the market and E represents the consumption of the established brand of soft drink.
d) Because a child was forbidden to play until homework was completed, that child did much less daydreaming and focused on homework.
In this answer choice, the effect of forbidding a child to play was beneficial to his ability to complete his homework, not detrimental to it. This scenario is not analogous to the principle in the passage, as the relationship between the two events is different. In formal logic, this can be represented as: F -> H, where F represents the child being forbidden to play and H represents the child focusing on homework.
e) Because neither of the two leading word processing programs has all of the features consumers want, neither has been able to dominate the market.
This answer choice does not have the same logical structure as the principle in the passage. The conclusion "neither A nor B" is not the type of conclusion presented in the passage. In formal logic, this can be represented as: /X & /Y -> /D, where X and Y represent the two leading word processing programs and D represents the domination of the market.
In conclusion, answer choice (c) conforms most closely to the principle illustrated in the passage, making it the correct answer.